IMD Issues Yellow Alert: Heavy Rainfall Expected Across India, Road Closures In Himachal

The India Meteorological Department, issued a 'yellow alert' for several states as showers are expected to continue over these places till August 22. Moderate to heavy falls are foreseen to occur over northern states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and eastern Rajasthan, and in Sub-Himalayas: Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. The IMD also pointed out that in some states, rainfall has already crossed the monthly average within 15 days of the month, raising concerns over the impact of the heavy downpours forecast for the coming days.

Himachal faces road closures amid heavy rain

The Met Office has stated that these wet conditions will continue till August 22. Besides this, a low-flash flood warning has been issued for some pockets in the Chamba, Kangra, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts, which may cause damage to the standing crops, plantations, and weak structures.

The State Emergency Operation Centre said National Highway 707, connecting Hatkoti in Shimla with Poanta Sahib in Sirmaur was one of the 58 roads that were affected. As many as 19 roads were closed in Shimla, 14 in Mandi, 12 in Kangra, eight in Kullu, three in Kinnaur, and one each in Sirmaur and Lahaul & Spiti. The rain snapped 31 power supply systems and four water supply schemes.

As a whole, Himachal Pradesh received 397.9 mm of rainfall against an average expected precipitation of 513.5 mm during the current monsoon, showing a deficit of 23 percent.

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The state since June 27 reported 120 deaths due to rain-related incidents, with damage worth Rs 1,129 crore.

Keylong in Lahaul & Spiti remained the coldest at 10.7°C, while Una was the hottest at 36.4°C till Friday.

Heavy rainfall expected in multiple states

The IMD has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas of West Bengal and Jharkhand. Meanwhile, hilly areas are likely to face deteriorating conditions. Isolated areas of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Odisha, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Konkan and Goa, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry are expected to get heavy rainfall, with the amounts reaching around 7 cm.

Coastal winds and thunderstorms expected

Thunderstorms with rain are likely over Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Konkan and Goa, Central Maharashtra, Marathwada, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, Mahe, and Rayalaseema. Winds ranging from 35 km/h to 65 km/h are likely along the coastal regions near the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Fishermen have been warned to stay away from the areas.

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